(File Photo: Source for Photo: The Clairton Coke Works, a U.S. Steel coking plant, is seen Monday, Aug 11, 2025, in Clairton, Penn. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Clairton, PA)  U.S. Steel is now making changes to improve safety following the deadly explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works Plant on August 11th, 2025 that killed fifty-two-year-old Steven Menefee of Clairton and thirty-nine-year-old Timothy Quinn of Fitz Henry of Westmoreland County and injured at least ten people. According to U.S. Steel, the investigation revealed that excessive pressure built up in a gas valve that was being flushed, causing it to fail. An explosion occurred when coke oven gas filled up the area. Today, U.S. Steel confirmed that the findings of this explosion from EDT, a forensic engineering and consulting firm are consistent with their findings. U.S. Steel also noted that it has already strengthed some safety protocols in respose to that explosion even though the investigation of it is ongoing. Measures from U.S. Steel include adjusting the language of corporate governance documents, prohibiting the use of high-pressure water for valve cleaning during review of best practices and restructuring its program for proposed procedure changes and risk evaluation, as appropriate. U.S. Steel also stated that it will train their employees on any changes that are implemented to programs or procedures. According to U.S. Steel: “Throughout this process, our top priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our employees, their families and our communities. Safety First will always be our core value.”